League of Women Voters is a big NO on November research tax

The venerable League of Women Voters of Kansas City and Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties came out Thursday morning opposed to the half-cent research sales tax on the Jackson County ballot this November.

The group called the tax “regressive and unfair” and said it was unreasonable for residents, many of whom can’t get access to medical care, to pay it.

“The League of Women Voters has a long-held position against regressive taxes, which are taxes on items everybody must buy, such as food and clothing,” the League said in a statement.

“Sales taxes take a bigger percentage bite out of the budget of lower income people than from those of higher income, making it more difficult for people to stretch their limited budget to buy the basics they need.”

The League also pointed out that local sales taxes are not the usual way medical research is funded. “Normally researchers apply for competitive grants from the federal government and other health-funding institutions,” the League statement said.